Properly storing your bike is essential to prevent lasting damage.
However, sometimes it can be difficult to figure out a big enough spot to store your bike. Fortunately, there is a way to store bikes that take up next to zero square space on the floor.
Today we will be looking at DIY wall mounts.
This guide will explain how to build a DIY bike wall mount, so you can learn how to store your bike efficiently.
We will also cover common problems that arise when storing a bike and why wall mounting your bike is a good solution.
If you are ready to get started, keep on reading.
Contents
Problems With Storing a Bike
There are some good reasons why people build a DIY bike wall mount. When it comes to storing bikes, there can be a few issues that arise.
One of the main problems associated with storing a bike is damaging your bike due to improper storage. It can also be difficult to find somewhere to store a bike if you don’t have a lot of room in your house or garage.
Let’s take a look at some of these problems in more detail.
Not Enough Room
Many cyclists have trouble figuring out a way to properly store their bike if they don’t have a lot of room.
Bikes are not very small, so you will need to have quite a bit of space to store them. While storing a bike is pretty doable in a big garage, people who live in a city or an apartment building may not have storage space.
Unfortuntlay, when cyclists don’t have access to proper storage, they have to resort to unconventional ways to keep their bikes safe. This can lead to improper storage techniques and could cause further problems.
Improper Storage Techniques
Improper storage habits are quite common, especially if you are more of a leisurely rider. However, many people do not know how bad storage techniques can damage the bike and cost them more money in the end.
Let’s take a look at the main ways people store their bikes improperly.
Leaving Your Bike Outside
For many people, this is their only option. However, leaving your bike outside is not worth it due to the damage it can cause.
It only takes one week to see visible damage from storing your bike outside.
If you store your bike in a humid climate, the chain will start to rust first. Newer chains won’t rust as quickly since they are stainless steel, but they will eventually. After your bike chain starts to rust, the rest of the bike will begin to rust and degrade as well.
If you store your bike in hot climates, the rubber and plastic can start to heat and break down. These parts will also become very brittle, and the colors will fade.
Another common issue of storing your bike outside is that the bolts may seize up. All of the metal bolts on the bike will eventually corrode, degrade and become stuck.
After your bolts break down, your bike bearings and cables will go next. The degrading of these parts will lower the quality of your braking and shifting systems, which could lead to dangerous riding.
In some parts of the world, this whole process can take only a month to occur. However, in areas without a lot of humidity, it can take up to four months for your bike to break down.
Leaning It Against the Wall
Another common way people store their bikes is by leaning them on the wall in their home or garage. While this solution is much better than storing the bike outside, it can still lead to a few problems.
Perhaps there is a shelf sticking out of the wall and pressing into the gears or wheels of the bike. Whatever the case, this could cause damage to certain parts.
Furthermore, if you are storing the bike in a garage, there is a possibility of tools or items on shelves falling on the bike. Some garages also experience flooding which could lead to rust issues.
While leaning your bike against the wall will work fine as a temporary solution, it may bring possible problems in the future if you use it as a long-term solution.
Why Wall Mounting Is a Solution
There are a few reasons why building a bike wall mount is a good solution. Let’s take a look.
It Keeps the Bike off the Ground
One of the main reasons why wall mounting your bike is a good solution is that it keeps it off the ground.
While storing the bike on the ground isn’t necessarily bad, it is prone to falling over. Items could also fall on the bike or rub against it. This could damage parts such as the bike chain or wheels.
It Will Keep the Floor Clean
Another downside of storing your bike on the floor is that it could drag mud or dirt into your garage or house. To keep the floor clean, you will have to either lay a rubber mat underneath the bikes or clean the area quite frequently.
However, you can avoid this by using a bike wall mount. Other than a few spots of dirt and mud here and there, you will be able to keep your floor relatively clean.
It Does Not Take Up a Lot of Room
While storing the bike on the ground will take up quite a bit of room, storing the bike on the wall will take up next to no square space. The bike will be on the wall and out of the way.
Typically, people will have a lot more open wall space than floor space, so it won’t be a big deal to hang a bike on the wall. Three bikes on the wall will take up the same amount of space as one bike leaning against the wall.
DIY Wall Mount
Now that we know why wall mounting your bike is a good solution let’s find out how to build a DIY bike wall mount.
In this section, we will review all of the tools and equipment you need and will offer a step-by-step guide for the process. Let’s get started.
Tools and Equipment
You will only need a few things for this DIY recipe.
- Drill
- Bike hooks
- 3 ½ inch screws
- Two eight-foot long 2×4 wooden planks
- Hand saw/power saw
Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you have everything you need let’s see how to build the DIY wall mount. You will be able to customize the recipe depending on how many bikes you want to hang.
Step One: Clear a Space on the Wall
In total, you will need about 80 inches of wall space for the whole set-up. Each bike will take up 12 inches of space as well as 12 inches on the ends.
Once you have found a suitable place on the wall, make sure to take down any shelves or pictures hanging on the wall. While this is optional, you can also take a wet rag and wipe down the wall.
Step Two: Cut the Wooden Planks Down to Size
Depending on how many bikes you want to hang, you will need to cut the wooden planks down to size. For instance, if you want to hang five bikes, you will need about seven feet of space. You can use a hand saw, or a power saw to cut the wooden planks.
Step Three: Mount the Planks on the Wall
Hang the bottom plank about 65 inches from the ground. If you mount the plank lower than this, the bottom of the bike might touch the ground. However, you may have to adjust this measurement depending on how large your bike is.
If you are hanging more than three bikes, you will need to install another plank. You can place the second plank about 14 inches above the bottom plank.
Use 3 ½ inch screws to install the planks to the wall. You can use two screws for each stud.
Step Four: Mount Bike Hooks to the Planks
Now you can install the bike hooks on the wooden planks.
Use a ⅜ drill bit to pre-drill all of the holes into the planks. You can then thread the bike hooks into the holes.
Make sure to install the hooks at least 24 inches from each other. This will make it easier to hang and remove the bikes.
If you are using two planks, install the hooks on the top plank after you have finished the bottom plank. Make sure to center each hook between the hooks on the bottom plank.
Conclusion
To build a bike wall mount, you will need a drill, bike hooks, 3 ½ inch screws, two eight foot long 2×4 wooden planks and a tool to cut the planks with.
The first thing you need to do is clear a space on the wall and cut the wooden planks down to size. Then you can mount the planks on the wall.
If you want to hang more than three bikes, make sure to install two planks on the wall. After this step, mount the bike hooks onto the planks.
Using a bike wall mount will keep the bike off the ground which will prevent damage, keep the floor clean, and will not take up a lot of room.
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Last Updated on May 29, 2023 by Danijel Cakalic
